IS 



in the tropics. The Para rubber plant, known for its 

 hardy dharaoteristics and power of adaptation, can only 

 be gro.wn over a small area in Ceylon. There are al- 

 ready indications that many parties, in other countries, 

 have over-estimated' the possibilities with Hevea brasi- 

 liensis, seme few having been bold enough to advise that 

 their planted properties shall be partly abandoned, even 

 though the estates are in the middle of the rubber zone 

 and are ooouipied with Para trees several years old. It 

 'is hoped that the mistakes of the past will not be re- 

 peated ; they would be impossible if investors wiould exer- 

 cise due caution before supplying capital for propositions 

 similar to those referred to. 



As the days roll on the beat and humidity are growing- 

 more and more unpleasant. Everything is getting sticky 

 and tacky. The temperature in my cabin registered only 

 90 degs. F. at 2 p.m. bo-day, but everything was quite 

 damp and the air difficult to breathe. I have (heard it 

 said that rubber from the East tends to become tacky 

 on account of the youthfulness of the trees whence it 

 is at present derived; but surely there is latitude for 

 further explanations on the change in consistency. No 

 wonder the rubber becomes soft and " resolves itself 

 into a dew " ; the marvel is tliat it does not escape from 

 the flimsy, unlined packing oases an the hold. One ver- 

 satile visitor, an explorer from Brazil, who has his bicycle 

 on board, gravely assures me that all his tyre punc- 

 tures have been reopened by the melting of the solution — 

 derived, according to his version, from Eastern plantation 

 rubber. Oliver Wendell Holmes must have had such a 

 being in view when he absen'ed that there are men that 

 it weakens one to talk with an hour more than a day's 

 fasting would do. Be the facts what ithey may, it is. 

 quite obvious that we are nearing the hot, clammy rubber 

 zone, of which we have so often vainly dreamed. It is 

 a very satisfying climate. 



Arrival in Colombo. 



After a pleasant time we have arrived at Colombo. 

 We left Genoa at about 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 

 25th, were delayed about nine hours at Naples, four at 

 Port Said, if in the Canal and at Suez, four at Aden — 



